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Spotsylvania supervisors approve $223,739 federal grant to support Afghan students, ask for enrollment details
Summary
The Board approved a $223,739 federal grant for school systems with 30 or more Afghan students to fund family engagement, tutoring and parent‑liaison services over two years; supervisors asked staff to provide counts and clarified the award will not cover all local costs.
The Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 12 approved a federal grant award of $223,739 aimed at supporting Afghan students and their families in the school division.
Board members discussed the grant after pulling item 19 from the consent agenda for comment. School staff explained the award is for jurisdictions with at least 30 Afghan students and is intended to support family engagement, parent‑liaison positions, tutoring and other services that help students navigate the local education system. The funds are to be expended over two years, roughly 50% in the current fiscal year and 50% in the following fiscal year.
“I just want this information so I can advocate for our community,” Supervisor Mullins said, asking staff to provide the exact count of Afghan students in the division and how long they have been enrolled. School staff said the students are distributed across several schools, that the grant is intended to help families and students directly, and that additional state and local resources continue to be needed.
Staff and supervisors emphasized the grant is supplemental. “No, this grant will not cover all those costs,” a school representative said, noting state support and local funding also contribute to English learner services and special education-driven capacity needs.
Chairman Lane confirmed the amount of the award and the two‑year spending window. After the discussion Supervisor Lane called the vote; the board approved the consent item and the grant with a recorded vote of 7 yes.
Board members requested staff supply a breakdown of how many qualifying Afghan students are enrolled and suggested the data be used to pursue additional federal and state funds on the county’s behalf. The schools agreed to provide those numbers to the board.
